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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tom Rivers (ranked 151 p4p, 500 weight class) and Masa Funaki (ranked 18 p4p, 65 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!
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| 178 cm
37
157
26 - 13 - 0 |
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180 cm
29
154
12 - 10 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tom Rivers!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Masa Funaki!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Funaki defending well as Rivers loads up on a big left hand.
Funaki ducks under a wild hook from Rivers.
Rivers avoids the body shot from Funaki.
Funaki scores with a jab to the head.
Funaki throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Funaki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Funaki thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rivers throws an overhand right that lands on Funaki's shoulder, as Funaki tries to avoid the shot.
Funaki slips under a jab.
Funaki throws a body punch but Rivers moves out of range.
Funaki looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Funaki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rivers looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Funaki smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rivers throws a push kick but Funaki slaps the foot to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivers misses with an uppercut.
Funaki feints a counter leg kick.
Funaki cracks Rivers with a right hand to the side of the head.
Funaki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Rivers.
A quick step to the side and Rivers tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Funaki throws a predictable looking body shot
and Rivers counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Masa Funaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rivers scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Funaki lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Funaki misses with a looping left.
Rivers is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Rivers uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Funaki.
Funaki tries a low kick but Rivers avoids it.
Rivers drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Funaki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rivers.
Funaki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rivers manages to avoid it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rivers.
Funaki takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Funaki throws a leg kick that misses.
Rivers lands a jab to the nose.
Rivers throws a hook but Funaki blocks it.
Funaki misses with a low kick as Rivers jumps back.
Rivers tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rivers. That's going to slow Funaki down.
Funaki throws a wild body kick that Rivers sees coming a mile off.
Rivers walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Funaki chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rivers misses with a straight right.
Funaki dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rivers. That did some damage!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers checks a leg kick.
Rivers swings for the body but Funaki moves out of range.
Rivers backing away here, and Funaki unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Funaki looks to score with a jab to the body but Rivers is just out of range.
Rivers fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Funaki manages to avoid it.
Funaki lands with a nice body punch.
Nice uppercut lands for Rivers. That snapped Funaki's head back.
Funaki throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Rivers cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rivers throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Funaki avoids the head kick by Rivers.
Rivers walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Rivers takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
An inside leg kick lands from Funaki.
Funaki shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Funaki scores with a kick to the midsection.
Funaki misses with an attempted mid kick.
A quick step to the side and Rivers tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Funaki scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Funaki turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Funaki scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Funaki throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funaki fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rivers.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rivers.
Funaki takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rivers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Funaki was well out of range. Poor timing from Rivers.
And Funaki responds with a good body kick, but Rivers manages to step out the way in time.
Funaki tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rivers is able to avoid easily.
Rivers thows a left - swing and a miss!
Funaki wants to slow Rivers down by chopping away at his legs.
Funaki thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rivers if he has to take too many more of those.
Rivers is looking to score with low kicks.
Funaki thows a body kick. Rivers tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Funaki chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rivers keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Funaki.
Rivers swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Funaki checks the leg kick nicely there.
Funaki ducks under a wild hook from Rivers.
Funaki has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rivers.
Rivers checks the leg kick nicely there.
Funaki connects with an inside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rivers sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Funaki lands with a kick to the ribs.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funaki swings for the body but Rivers moves out of range.
Rivers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Funaki looks to score with a jab to the body but Rivers is just out of range.
Funaki attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Rivers checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Funaki lands a jab.
Funaki misses with a body shot
and Rivers counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
An inside leg kick from Funaki misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Rivers misses the target.
Rivers is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rivers uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Funaki.
Rivers misses with a looping right.
Rivers throws a body punch but Funaki moves out of range.
Funaki swings for the body but Rivers moves out of range.
Funaki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rivers throws a solid leg kick but Funaki takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Rivers.
Rivers takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Funaki wants to slow Rivers down by chopping away at his legs.
A low kick lands for Funaki.
Funaki ducks under a wild hook from Rivers.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Masa Funaki dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Funaki lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rivers at a distance.
Rivers lands a head kick!
It looks like Masa Funaki has been cut.
Funaki scores with a sloppy right hand. Rivers should have avoided that one.
Funaki misses with a low kick.
Rivers throwing a counter right hand but Funaki manages to avoid it.
Rivers just misses with a punch to the body.
A leg kick checked by Rivers.
Funaki pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rivers is out of range and Funaki settles back down.
Rivers throws a jab but it's blocked by Funaki.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Rivers might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Funaki feints and then cracks Rivers's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rivers down.
Masa Funaki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Funaki scores with a jab to the body.
Funaki misses with a straight left.
Funaki throws a low kick, looking for Rivers's leg but Rivers calmly moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivers misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Funaki.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rivers checks a leg kick.
Funaki avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A countering left hand to the body from Funaki misses.
Rivers moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
The fighters circling - Rivers throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rivers misses the jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Funaki misses with a low kick as Rivers jumps back.
Funaki misses with a body shot
letting Rivers counter with a right hand.
Rivers lands with a shot to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Funaki.
Rivers with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Funaki to score with a decent uppercut.
Rivers throws the kick towards the body but Funaki avoids it.
Rivers looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Funaki lands with an uppercut that bounces Rivers off the cage and back into range.
Rivers uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Funaki.
A telegraphed right hand from Rivers misses the target.
Rivers tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Funaki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rivers manages to avoid it.
Rivers throws a quick counter kick to the body but Funaki avoids it.
Rivers checks a leg kick nicely.
Funaki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Funaki uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rivers has time to react.
Funaki slips a jab from Rivers.
Rivers lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Funaki throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rivers lands with a thumping leg kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers throws a looping overhand right but Funaki ducks down to avoid it.
Funaki looks to land a body kick but Rivers moved away.
Funaki just misses with a punch to the body.
Rivers dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Funaki. That did some damage!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Funaki.
Rivers misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Funaki.
Rivers throws a hook to the side of Funaki's head but Funaki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Funaki fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Funaki throws a body kick that misses.
Rivers takes a swing at Funaki's ribcage but misses.
Funaki fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Funaki stuns Rivers with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rivers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Funaki was well out of range. Poor timing from Rivers.
Funaki slips under a jab from Rivers.
A bone on bone clash there as Funaki blocks the leg kick.
Funaki lands a jab to the head.
Funaki will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rivers lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Funaki has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Funaki and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funaki connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Funaki pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rivers is out of range and Funaki settles back down.
Rivers checks a leg kick.
A big left from Funaki misses.
Funaki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rivers throws out the jab.
Funaki swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Funaki fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rivers checks it well.
Funaki misses with a right hand
and Rivers counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rivers cracks Funaki with a right hand to the side of the head.
Funaki turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Funaki lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A low kick lands for Funaki.
Funaki pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A jab from Rivers misses.
Funaki feints a counter leg kick.
Funaki misses with a leg kick.
Rivers throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Funaki throws the kick towards the body but Rivers avoids it.
Rivers half committed to a counter leg kick.
Funaki throws a jab when Rivers was well out of range.
Funaki fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rivers is out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funaki tries to land a front kick but Rivers steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Funaki connects with an inside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Funaki blocks a jab.
Funaki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Funaki is looking to chop away at Rivers's legs.
Funaki scoring well with a low kick there.
Rivers connects with a good right hand that stumbles Funaki. Funaki circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rivers avoids the body shot from Funaki.
Rivers walks into a straight right hand from Funaki.
Rivers throws a leg kick that misses.
Rivers fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Funaki has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Funaki throws a big shot that misses.
A big right from Rivers misses.
Funaki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rivers.
Funaki checks a leg kick nicely.
Funaki blocks the body kick.
Rivers misses with a low kick.
Funaki with the inside leg kick.
Funaki misses with a left hand
and Rivers counters with a nice uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Masa Funaki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Masa Funaki's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Funaki avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Funaki pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Funaki lands with a shot to the body.
Rivers moves out of range as Funaki throws a body kick.
Funaki avoids the body shot from Rivers.
Some bone on bone action there as Rivers checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Rivers is looking for a counter combo.
Funaki with the inside leg kick.
Rivers swings for the body but Funaki moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Funaki.
Funaki takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Funaki looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Funaki throws a low kick but Rivers moves out of range easily.
Rivers connects with a nice looking jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivers moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rivers throws out a loose jab but Funaki uses good head movement to avoid it.
A big right from Rivers misses.
Funaki tried to score with a low kick but Rivers checks it.
Rivers was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Funaki throws a right hand that misses
and Rivers counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Funaki looks to score with a jab to the body but Rivers is just out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Rivers throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Funaki ducks under a wild hook from Rivers.
Rivers connects with a right hand. Funaki shakes it off.
Rivers scores with a nice head shot.
Funaki slips a jab from Rivers.
Funaki has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Funaki is looking to slow Rivers down with leg kicks.
Rivers loads up on a big right hand but Funaki slips the punch.
Rivers uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Funaki.
Rivers swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A leg kick checked by Rivers.
Rivers uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Funaki.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Funaki.
Rivers throws the left hand but Funaki avoids the punch easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Funaki misses.
Rivers moves out of range of the leg kick from Funaki.
Rivers appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Funaki lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rivers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Funaki throws a low kick but Rivers avoids it.
Funaki walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers checks a leg kick nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rivers misses with a body shot.
Funaki throws a hook but Rivers avoids it easily.
Funaki looks for the body kick but Rivers saw that one coming.
Rivers lands a jab to Funaki's midsection.
Rivers motions for Funaki to come forward. Rivers throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Funaki goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A nice leg kick lands there from Funaki.
Funaki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Funaki misses with a kick to the body.
Rivers lands a glancing blow to the side of Funaki's head.
Funaki tries to land a front kick but Rivers steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Funaki just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromRivers.
Rivers misses with an attempted mid kick.
A nice leg kick from Funaki, right into the meat of the thigh.
Funaki throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Rivers to counter with a crisp jab.
Rivers misses with a looping left.
Rivers scoring well with a low kick there.
Rivers looks for the body kick but Funaki saw that one coming.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Funaki throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Funaki staying out of range there.
Rivers fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Funaki checks it well.
Funaki counters with a body kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Funaki misses the target.
Good shot there by Funaki.
Funaki slips under a jab from Rivers.
Nice uppercut lands for Rivers. That snapped Funaki's head back.
Rivers has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rivers there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rivers moves out of range as Funaki strikes.
Funaki throws out a leg kick but Rivers moves out of range and Funaki only half commits.
Funaki pushes Rivers away with a front kick.
Rivers on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rivers bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Funaki's head backwards.
Funaki checks a low kick from Rivers.
Funaki throws a body punch but Rivers moves out of range.
Rivers was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Funaki throws the kick towards the body but Rivers avoids it.
Rivers swings and misses with a hook to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funaki throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A slow jab from Rivers misses its intended target.
Funaki is looking to score with low kicks.
Funaki misses with a hook
and Rivers counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rivers rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Funaki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Funaki misses with a body kick.
Funaki throws a jab but it's blocked by Rivers.
Rivers feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Funaki lands with a thumping leg kick.
Funaki just misses with a punch to the body.
Rivers steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Funaki. That one must have hurt.
Funaki misses the shot to the body.
Funaki shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A slow jab from Rivers misses its intended target.
Funaki tries to work over Rivers's front leg with a kick but Rivers checks it.
Funaki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rivers throws out the jab.
Funaki tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rivers missing with a left hand there. Funaki was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Tom Rivers did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Masa Funaki's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Nice body kick there by Rivers.
Funaki scoring well with a low kick there.
Funaki lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Rivers misses with a body kick.
Funaki keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rivers.
Rivers connects with a nice looking jab.
Funaki lands a jab.
Funaki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Funaki connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rivers's hands.
Funaki throws a head kick that misses
and Rivers counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Funaki misses with a low kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Funaki misses the target.
Rivers throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Funaki doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A lazy body kick from Funaki
and Rivers connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rivers looks to throw the jab but Funaki is out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rivers misses with a wild body shot.
Funaki catches Rivers with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Funaki throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Funaki is looking to score with low kicks.
Rivers moves out of range as Funaki throws a body kick.
Funaki changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rivers connects with a high kick.
Good shot there by Funaki.
Funaki takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Rivers checks the leg kick nicely there.
Funaki throws a wild body kick that Rivers sees coming a mile off.
Funaki lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rivers's sensitive parts.
Rivers scores with a leg kick.
Rivers checks the leg kick nicely there.
Rivers lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rivers throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Rivers misses with a straight left.
Rivers takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rivers tests Funaki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Funaki with a body punch. A glancing blow.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers misses with an uppercut.
Rivers will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Rivers uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Funaki.
Funaki throws an overhand right that lands on Rivers's shoulder, as Rivers tries to avoid the shot.
Funaki misses with a body kick.
A little feinted left hand from Rivers on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rivers takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Funaki connects with an inside leg kick.
Rivers throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rivers staying out of range there.
Funaki misses with a leg kick.
It looked like Rivers wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Funaki's corner calls for a 1-2. Funaki obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Funaki throws out a leg kick but Rivers moves out of range and Funaki only half commits.
Funaki just misses with a punch to the body.
Rivers chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Funaki fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rivers.
A good leg kick by Funaki.
Funaki throws a leg kick
and Rivers counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Rivers uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Funaki.
Funaki is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rivers throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rivers avoids a kick to the body.
A counter left hand to the body from Rivers misses its target.
Funaki is looking to slow Rivers down with leg kicks.
Funaki goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rivers checks a low kick from Funaki.
Funaki swings for the body but Rivers moves out of range.
Funaki lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Rivers checks a leg kick nicely.
It looked like Rivers wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Rivers moves out of range of the leg kick from Funaki.
Rivers throws a jab when Funaki was well out of range.
Rivers misses with a low kick.
Rivers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Funaki scores with a nice body kick.
Funaki throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Funaki connects with an inside leg kick.
Funaki takes a swing at Rivers's ribcage but misses.
Rivers misses with a right hand
and Funaki counters with a good, hard body kick but Rivers shrugs it off.
Rivers throws a head kick but Funaki moves out of range.
Crunch! Funaki slams his shin into Rivers's torso.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Funaki keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rivers.
Nice defenses there by Rivers.
Rivers digs a good hook to Funaki's body.
Rivers swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rivers throws a wild body kick that Funaki sees coming a mile off.
Funaki lands a jab to Rivers's midsection.
Rivers lands the left hand.
Rivers sizes up Funaki with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Rivers is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Funaki.
Rivers blocks a head kick by Funaki.
Funaki throws a leg kick but Rivers checks it.
Rivers lands with a hook. Funaki tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Masa Funaki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Masa Funaki's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Rivers scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick by Rivers misses
and Funaki counters with a leg kick.
Funaki throws a leg kick but Rivers sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Funaki throws a lazy right hand but Rivers sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It looked like Rivers wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Funaki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rivers was well out of range. Poor timing from Funaki.
Rivers uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Funaki.
Funaki uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rivers.
Rivers throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Funaki sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rivers slips a jab from Funaki.
Funaki attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Rivers ducks under a wild hook from Funaki.
Funaki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Funaki misses with a body shot.
Rivers swings for the body but Funaki moves out of range.
A nice leg kick from Funaki, right into the meat of the thigh.
Funaki throws the kick towards the body but Rivers avoids it.
Rivers looks to score with a jab to the body but Funaki is just out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Funaki connects with a body shot.
A jab lands there for Rivers.
Rivers connects with a leg kick.
Funaki throws an off balance right hand
enabling Rivers to counter with a crisp jab.
Good work by Rivers as he checks the leg kick.
Funaki fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rivers is out of range.
A low kick from Funaki is predictable there
and Rivers makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Rivers feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Funakis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
That kick from Funaki tenderised Rivers's leg. Rivers is trying to keep his angry face on.
Funaki connects with a body shot.
Funaki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice body kick there by Funaki.
Some bone on bone action there as Rivers checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A shot to the liver by Rivers. Beautiful body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rivers checks a low kick from Funaki.
An attempted straight right counter from Rivers misses the target.
Rivers scores with a nice body kick.
Tom Rivers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Funaki feints and then cracks Rivers's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rivers down.
Rivers lands with a kick to the ribs.
Funaki lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rivers at a distance.
Rivers throws a shot from downtown. Funaki moves away and avoids it.
Funaki misses with a body shot.
Funaki throws a body punch but Rivers moves out of range.
Rivers connects with an inside leg kick.
Rivers lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rivers walks forward, straight into a front kick from Funaki.
Funaki defending well as Rivers loads up on a big left hand.
Rivers checks a leg kick.
Funaki checks a leg kick.
Funaki digs a good hook to Rivers's body.
Funaki scores with a head kick.
Funaki defending well as Rivers loads up on a big left hand.
Funaki on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Funaki slips a straight right by Rivers.
A low kick lands for Funaki.
Rivers pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rivers throws a jab but it's blocked by Funaki.
Rivers on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Funaki. Funaki obviously looking to wear him down.
Funaki lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Funaki loads up on a big right hand but Rivers slips the punch.
Funaki throws a hook to the side of Rivers's head but Rivers sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rivers looks to land a left hand but Funaki moved out of range nicely.
Rivers loads up on a big right hand but Funaki slips the punch.
Funaki throws a head kick that misses
and Rivers counters with a thumping low kick.
That kick from Funaki tenderised Rivers's leg. Rivers is trying to keep his angry face on.
Funaki misses with a low kick.
Rivers chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Funaki can pounce on him.
Rivers scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Funaki looks to land a body kick but Rivers moved away.
Rivers is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Funaki. Rivers shrugs it off though.
Masa Funaki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Funaki lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rivers's sensitive parts.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Funaki lands a jab to Rivers's midsection.
Funaki misses with a hook.
Rivers misses with a hook. Funaki ducked under it nicely.
Funaki lands with a right hand.
Rivers fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Funaki manages to avoid it.
Funaki throws a leg kick which misses Rivers's front leg but catches the back leg as Rivers tries to avoid it.
Rivers misses with a straight right.
Good shot there by Funaki.
Funaki buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Funaki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rivers keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Funaki.
Funaki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rivers on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
And that's the end of the fight!
Masa Funaki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Funaki has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 46:49
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masa Funaki!
Masa Funaki is the new lightweight champion!
Masa Funaki decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
In defeat, Tom Rivers stepped up to the mic, saying 'good fight'.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
84% |
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